Origin Of Ghee

Before digging into the nitty-gritty, let’s first clear the foundations. What is Ghee? Regarded as an essential component in Ayurveda and traditional Indian medicines, the origin of the word Ghee takes roots from the Sanskrit word, which is ghrta. Ghee is essentially clarified butter – a golden coloured liquid (semi-liquid, in fact) with its unique aroma and flavour. It has a wide range of applications – from cooking to healing in our day-to-day life.

Types Of Ghee

Ghee is not limited to one form. Many different types of ghee come with varying types of extra benefits. Some of these ghee types are:

• Cow Ghee
• Sheep Ghee
• Goat Ghee
• Buffalo Ghee
• Vegan Ghee

While most of these types have commonalities, the ghee from cow milk is one of the most commonly used and studied ghee among its counterparts.

Use Of Ghee In Ayurveda

Apart from massage with ghee, there are many other benefits of ghee as per the Ayurvedic text, Sushruta Samhita, such as:

• Pacifies aggravated Vata and Pitta dosha 
• Lubricates tissues and promotes flexibility
• Aids digestion and promotes healthy microbes in the gut
• Enhances Ojas or “life energy.”
• While I’d highly recommend desi cow ghee compared to others, overall, ghee offers similar benefits. But having used a variety of ghee over the years, nothing compares to pure desi cow ghee when it comes to consumption in our meals or as the ghee of choice for massages.

Massages And Use Of Ghee

The benefits of cow ghee are also one of the big reasons why massage with ghee in ayurveda healing traditions still plays a significant role today. At the same time, the vegan ghee that is gaining traction is a blend of different oils, including coconut oil. There’s one question that arises most commonly, which is: “what are desi ghee massage benefits?” While ghee has countless health benefits as part of our diet, there are fantastic benefits of ghee massage on body, especially for our skin and pain. I was introduced to desi massage with ghee at the Ayurvedic hospital in Gujarat. It was actually Panchagavya ghee (a mix of desi cow ghee, curd, milk, urine, and gobar). This ghee had significant healing qualities.

Unlike other oils that require deep penetration into the skin, pure ghee is considered the ideal substance for massaging oneself. Ghee massage for knee pain is one of its incredible benefits. Our body absorbs approximately 60% of what we coat on our skin. It’s no wonder that the richness of ghee is felt when doing a massage, given that it strengthens and nourishes our body.

Goodness / Benefits Of Ghee Massage On Body

Check out some other benefits of ghee massage on body below:

1. Promotes Hydration And Cleansing

From newborns to the end of life, massage with ghee for babies provides a level of soothing and comfort that other oils cannot replicate. One of the key ghee massage benefits is it cleanses our systems from the outside and permits hydration throughout the body, making us less likely to fall ill. It also helps us recover lost energy that much quicker if and when we happen to fall sick.

2. Rubbing Ghee On Feet For Instant Relief

Massaging the bottom of your feet with ghee and a copper bowl was one of the tricks I learned at the hospital. Ghee massage benefits for cough is really beneficial that came as a surprise to me. I was shocked to see my feet turn pitch black, but I felt my body cooling down instantly despite the scorching and humid weather. One of the key benefits of ghee massage on body was that the ghee was ridding my body of the toxins that had built up heat in my system, putting me off my routine and balance.

3. For A Relieving Ayurvedic Foot Massage At Night

The practice of applying ghee as an Ayurvedic tradition to have a relaxing foot massage at night is called “Padabhyanga.” There are many ghee massage benefits when applied on the feet at night, such as: 

• Relief from stress and anxiety
• Enhanced foot health by preventing cracks and nourishing the skin
• Improvement in sleep quality
• Improves functioning of the heart
• Helps in relief from an aggravated Vata dosha

Conclusion

The benefits of ghee massage on body are immense. As a wonder food that is good health for skin, hair, and health in general, it can be applied to various areas over the body such as the lips, elbows, foot, hair, cuticles, and so on. It helps improve the skin in that area exponentially through ghee massage benefits. To make sure before using ghee for these purposes is to purchase one from a reputable brand or company and use one free of all additives and chemicals because it’s in the purity of natural ghee where the actual good properties lie. Its versatility makes this food a valuable component in a variety of applications.

FAQs

Q. Is it good to massage your body with ghee?

Yes. Ghee massage or Abhyanga helps reduce muscle stiffness, supports excellent nervous system health, triggers the digestive firs, and increases blood circulation. It nourishes the tissues, muscles, and joints. It improves skin texture and fights signs of premature skin ageing.

Q. Is ghee good for skin and hair?

Yes. Applying ghee on the skin softens and smoothes the skin texture. Ghee improves blood circulation and fights signs of skin ageing like wrinkles, scars, and cellulite (skin fat). Vitamin A and vitamin D in ghee moisturize the scalp and improve hair texture and strength. Ghee nourishes the scalp and hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. It is also effective against the itchy scalp, dandruff, and split ends.

Q. Is ghee massage good for bones and joints?

Yes. Ghee is very effective for stiff joints and relieving joint pain. Vitamin K2, present in ghee, improves calcium absorption in bones, improves joint lubrication, and suppresses inflammation that is the root cause of joint pain and arthritis.

Q. What happens when you apply ghee to your feet?

Massage with ghee on feet is called “Padabhyanga.” Applying ghee on feet at night nourishes the skin, heals cracked heels, improves sleep quality, soothes the Vata imbalance, and relieves stress and anxiety.

Q. What happens when you apply ghee on your belly button?

Ghee has many health benefits, and one of the components is the presence of antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Applying to your belly button or the skin on your belly helps enhance the area over that skin and gives it a new glow.

Q. Does ghee help in healing?

Looking back at traditional Ayurvedic practices, ghee is an essential component in many healing procedures. One of them is through Padabhyanga (also known as foot massage). Doing this foot massage during the nighttime has MANY benefits that can assist in an individual’s healing journey.